In his sophomore TEDx talk, Santiago Rivera describes his relationship to dance, specifically the Japanese form of Butoh, and how its embodiments of chaos and destruction have affected his relationships and mindset. Following up his first TEDx talk, “The Art of Violence and Trauma in Dance,” he explores how dance can be used to foster appreciation and hope. Santiago Rivera (M.F.A.) is a dance artist, educator, and choreographer from Los Angeles, CA. They earned their M.F.A. in Dance from California State University, Long Beach, a B.A. in Drama with a minor in Educational Studies from the University of California, Irvine, and an A.A. in Dance with a Dance Instructor Certificate of Achievement from Orange Coast College. Santiago also completed the José Limón Technique Certification Program. Their work interrogates the erasure of closeted queer Latine and BIPOC identities in institutional dance spaces. Santiago teaches at Cypress College and San Bernardino Valley College, is on faculty for the Young Choreographers Project, and serves as a guest artist in residence at Irvine Valley College. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx